Ian Wright has rubbished criticism of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and declared that Arsenal should sign the Ivorian in the summer.
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Toure has been linked with a move away from the Etihad in the summer with former City-boss Roberto Mancini supposedly interested in a move.
And following the 4-2 hammering at the hands of Manchester United, Toure was roundly criticised for what was perceived a lacklustre performance.
But writing in his column for The Sun, Wright says it’s entirely unfair the midfielder is receiving the brunt of criticism for the Old Trafford result and says a whole host of top clubs would be stupid not to try and sign him if he becomes available in May.
“If you could get him for that price at the end of the season, I’d have him at Arsenal in a heartbeat,” writes Wright in The Sun.
“Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of writing him off, but he is 31 and I reckon he would be an absolute sensation at the Emirates for a couple of seasons at least.
“I just think Yaya is the easy option when fans are looking for a scapegoat, because of the money he earns and all that stuff about City not acknowledging his birthday a year ago.”
Wright says whilst Sergio Aguero and David Silva might be fan favourites, Toure has to be regarded as the driving force behind the Man City squad.
He may have had a bad day against the Red Devils and his style of play will always have fans questioning his commitment, but Wright says City fans should be careful what they wish for.
“Toure’s languid style of running will always see sofa experts claiming he is not trying. But they were not saying that when he was marauding through defences with opponents bouncing off him a season ago,” he says.
“At the moment City are like a ship aimlessly drifting along, rather than charting a definite course, but to suggest that’s all Yaya’s fault? I’m sorry, but I’m not having that at all.
“Apart from Joe Hart, there just appears to be a lack of passion throughout the team — and that certainly isn’t down to just one man.
“All those City fans wanting to see the back of him should be careful what they wish for. Toure deserves a lot more respect than he is being shown at the moment.”
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